Judaism

“Rachel: Portrait of a Matriarch”
(updated and revised from Vayeitzei 5765-2004)

This week’s parasha paints a broad and fascinating portrait of the beloved matriarch, Rachel. Rachel’s life is filled with moments of great exaltation and great desperation. There is much to learn from Rachel’s life and actions.

“Digging Wells”
(updated and revised from Toledot 5765-2004)

Parashat Toledot tells of numerous occasions when Isaac and his servants go to dig wells. What is so significant about well digging that impels the most important document in Judaism to not only recount that Isaac dug numerous wells, but to repeatedly list the well’s names? Obviously, these ancient wells were more than just watering holes. Indeed, they were signposts of Jewish identity, Jewish pride and Jewish outreach. We learn from Isaac and his wells, that the antisemites do not respect Jews who are ashamed of their heritage. On the other hand, non-Jews cannot help but admire those Jews who stand up proudly and state without reticence or embarrassment and declare: “I am a Jew!”

“Reaching Out to Family Members”
(updated and revised from Chayei Sarah 5765-2004)

Despite the fact that all his family who still resided in his native Mesopotamia were steeped in idolatry, Abraham decides to send Eliezer back to his homeland to find a bride for his son, Isaac. There is much we can learn from Abraham>s perseverance and persistence to reach out to and retrieve his family members who were so distant from his faith and his traditions.

“The Benefit of Broad-heartedness”
(updated and revised from Vayeira 5765-2004)

According to tradition, G-d remembers Sarah, who miraculously gives birth to Isaac in her old age, because Abraham prayed in a special way. It is broad-hearted prayer, where we pray for others aside from ourselves, that is most efficacious.

“Was Hagar Abused?”
(updated and revised from Lech Lecha 5765-2004)

A desperate Sarai gives her handmaiden, Hagar, to Abram to be his wife and have a child on her behalf. When Hagar becomes pregnant, she begins to mock Sarai. Sarai abuses Hagar, and Hagar flees. Is it conceivable that our venerated matriarch Sarai really abused her vulnerable handmaiden, Hagar?